Garland Bombed

(May 12)

Short Take:  Did Jon just lose his rotation spot?

After watching this mess of a baseball game, Sox Fans could only ask themselves one question:  How did Jon Garland manage to get four outs?  The 20 year-old rookie was hit early and hard, chased in the second inning, but not before the game was hopelessly out of hand.  The Sox never even came close in this one, losing to Texas 16-6.  The Sox have dropped 21 games with only 13 victories.  

How'd we ever win thirteen?

Sure, the game started with an error charged to Jose Valentin, making a rare start at shortstop.  Did that rattle Garland?  It shouldn't have.  Valentin himself got the runner out on the very next play on a fielder's choice.  So with one out and a runner on first, Garland serves up his fat pitch, and then another, and then another after that.  The score was 5-0 before the Sox even got their first at-bats.

The second inning was no better, forcing Jerry Manuel to take the ball from Garland with the bases loaded.  Yeah, Garland was doubtlessly pissed when reliever Kip Wells couldn't find the range, lost a couple of close calls, and walked in two more runs charged to Garland.  Of course Wells also induced a double play to end the inning, which is more than Jon Garland could ever have hoped to accomplish if he had been left in.  Kip Wells had an idea out there; Jon Garland was clueless.

Down 8-0, the rest of the game is a blur.  The Sox managed a four-run rally in the second inning, but failed to get more when Paul Konerko struck out with runners on first and second base.  Isn't this exactly what Sox Fans have come to expect all season long from this team?

Jeff Liefer did well with the bat (2 for 4 with a sacrifice fly) and Jose Valentin remained hot going 2 for 4 with yet another dinger.  Ray Durham's bat has returned to a slumber, and you really have to wonder what Ray Ray is trying to do when he starts swinging with an upper cut.  

Please Ray, one Sammy Sosa is enough for most Sox Fans.

Rubber game is Sunday and moms run the bases.